1/8 x 6 Stainless Steel Flat Bar 316

Product Overview
The ​316 stainless steel flat bar stock is a premium austenitic alloy engineered for extreme durability and corrosion resistance. Enhanced with molybdenum (2-3%), it outperforms standard stainless steels in harsh environments such as marine, chemical processing, and industrial applications. Its weldability, machinability, and aesthetic versatility make it ideal for structural, architectural, and functional uses.

​Technical Specifications

​Mechanical & Physical Properties

​Tensile Strength

The ​316 stainless steel flat bar stock offers a ​tensile strength of 580 MPa (84 ksi), ensuring exceptional resistance to deformation under heavy loads. This property is critical for structural components in bridges, offshore platforms, and machinery subjected to dynamic stress. The high tensile strength also allows the material to withstand prolonged exposure to mechanical forces without compromising integrity, making it ideal for load-bearing applications like conveyor systems and industrial frameworks.

​Bend Strength

With a ​bend strength of 290 MPa (42 ksi), this alloy retains structural integrity even when formed into complex geometries. Its ductility enables seamless fabrication via bending, rolling, or stamping without cracking, making it a preferred choice for architectural trim, marine hardware, and custom brackets. The material’s ability to absorb energy during deformation reduces the risk of sudden failure, ensuring safety in high-stress environments.

​Identification Marking

Every ​316 stainless steel flat bar stock is laser-etched with permanent identifiers, including the grade (e.g., “316” or “316L”), batch number, and manufacturer details. This traceability ensures compliance with international standards like ASTM A276 and EN 10088-2, providing engineers and fabricators with confidence in material authenticity and quality consistency. Laser marking is non-invasive, preserving the material’s corrosion resistance and surface finish.

​Weight Calculation

Accurate weight estimation is essential for logistics and structural design. Use the formula:
Weight (kg/m) = Thickness (mm) × Width (mm) × 8.0 (density) / 1000
Example: A 12mm thick × 75mm wide bar weighs ​7.2 kg/m. This calculation helps optimize shipping costs, load distribution, and project budgeting. For imperial measurements, convert dimensions to inches and use density in lb/in³ (0.289 lb/in³).

​Why Does Stainless Steel Rust?

While ​316 stainless steel flat bar stock is highly corrosion-resistant, localized rust may occur under extreme conditions:

1. ​Chloride Exposure: Prolonged contact with seawater, road salts, or bleach can degrade the passive chromium oxide layer. In marine environments, crevices or stagnant zones are particularly vulnerable to pitting corrosion.
2. ​Galvanic Corrosion: Direct contact with carbon steel, copper, or aluminum in conductive environments (e.g., humid air or saltwater) creates electrochemical reactions, accelerating corrosion.
3. ​Surface Contamination: Iron particles from grinding tools, cutting equipment, or handling can embed into the surface, creating rust-prone areas.
4. ​High-Temperature Oxidation: Prolonged exposure above 400°C (750°F) causes scaling and reduces corrosion resistance due to chromium depletion.

Prevention Strategies:

• Regular cleaning with pH-neutral detergents to remove chlorides.
• Passivation treatments (nitric acid baths) to restore the oxide layer.
• Isolation from dissimilar metals using non-conductive gaskets.
• Environmental monitoring to limit chloride and high-temperature exposure.

​Applications

• ​Marine & Offshore: Propeller shafts, boat rails, desalination plants.
• ​Chemical & Pharmaceutical: Acid storage tanks, reactor vessels, piping systems.
• ​Architectural: Decorative facades, elevator interiors, handrails.
• ​Industrial: Conveyor belts, heat exchangers, food processing equipment.

​Why Choose Our Stainless Steel Flat Bars?

1. ​Certified Quality:
   • Compliant with ​ASTM A276/A479 and ​EN 10088-2 standards.
   • Mill test reports (MTRs) provided for chemical composition and mechanical properties.
2. ​Custom Solutions:
   • Tailored ​316 stainless steel flat bar sizes, thicknesses, and surface finishes.
   • Precision CNC cutting, drilling, and edge-beveling for complex profiles.
3. ​Competitive Pricing:
   • Bulk order discounts and flexible minimum order quantities (MOQs).
4. ​Global Logistics:
   • Fast shipping via air, sea, or land with real-time tracking.
5. ​Expert Support:
   • Technical guidance on welding, corrosion prevention, and load capacity optimization.